OCZ Patents Improved SATA Connector for SSDs and HDDs

OCZ Technology has added to their intellectual property portfolio with a recently issued patent in the US for an improved connector for SSDs and other SATA-based storage devices. Patent #8,083,536 covers a new mechanical fitting, joining both SATA power and data connections, and attaches them directly to the drive body itself. This allows for a more mechanically sound connection which is less likely to break the fragile plastic connections that will sometimes break off the front of SSDs if the connector is mishandled.

OCZ Technology has added to their intellectual property portfolio with a recently issued patent in the US for an improved connector for SSDs and other SATA-based storage devices. Patent #8,083,536 covers a new mechanical fitting, joining both SATA power and data connections, and attaches them directly to the drive body itself. This allows for a more mechanically sound connection which is less likely to break the fragile plastic connections that will sometimes break off the front of SSDs if the connector is mishandled.

At first glance you will probably recognize this fitting, as a similar one is sometimes used when connecting drives through mini-SAS breakout cables or as part of some SSD/HDD upgrade kits where both power and data feed through the same connector. The part where this connector differs is the primary connection point is through the plastic or metal fingers protruding from the top and bottom of the connector (#52 and #54 as shown above and below). These grab the drive body, putting stress into the stronger case instead of the weaker plastic fitting soldered onto the drives circuit board.

OCZ includes two versions of this connector, one that slides over the drive body, securing passively through tension and friction to the drive body. Another version is shown below where the connector secures through a more active means with tabs protruding out from the SSD or HDD body and the clip slides over and stays attached more securely.

The phrase "why didn’t someone think of this sooner" has been used time and time again, but in this case with countless SATA connectors broken, it’s even more surprising no one thought of this before. It remains to be seen how OCZ will use this connector and whether or not they’ll license it out. 

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